SPINNINGS VICTORY

Vidarbha spinners Harsh Dubey and Parth Rekhade shared 10 wickets  as MP Crumble at 105 to lose Ranji Trophy match by an innings and 20 runs

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Nov 4

TWEAKERS Parth Rekhade (5-14) and Harsh Dubey (5-37) spun the web around Madhya Pradesh batters with a five-wicket haul each as Vidarbha crushed the visitors by an innings and 20 runs on the third morning of their Elite Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy match here at VCA Jamtha Stadium.

Resuming the day at 19-1, Madhya Pradesh were all out for 105 in 33.5 overs. From 84-3, Madhya Pradesh lost seven wickets scoring only 21 runs.

Vidarbha are now at the top of the Elite Group ‘A’ table with 26 points as the Ranji Trophy takes a break.

With 14 wickets for 90 runs from the match, Dubey registered his best figures in First-Class cricket. In the process, he also broke former Vidarbha spinner Akshay Wakhare’s record of 13 for 162 registered against Gujarat in 2014-15 season.

Dubey also jumped to top spot in the bowling chart with 28 wickets from four matches.

His overall wickets number in First-Class cricket rose to 39 scalps this year. He started with three wickets during India ‘A’ vs Sri Lanka ‘A’ match in Galle in June. Dubey then took eight wickets for Central Zone against East Zone in Duleep Trophy quarter-final match in August followed by the heroics in last four matches.

There were no demons on the pitch. It was the breathtaking effort from two premier Vidarbha spinners against whom Madhya Pradesh crumbled. They created hara-kiri as wickets tumbled in every over. Seven wickets fell in 37 minutes as they were all out for 105 in 27.3 overs bowled on Wednesday .

Saksham Purohit was the highest scorer for Madhya Pradesh with 34 runs. But as stand-in captain Dubey trapped him in front of the wicket in his first over of the day, the floodgates opened.

That Madhya Pradesh’s all nine wickets fell 15 minutes before lunch showed how dominating Vidarbha spinners were in the morning.

There were two defining moments of the day. First, MP batter Shubham Sharma's catch taken by Danish Malewar off Dubey. Malewar was parallel in the air as he pouched a breathtaking catch at covers.

Then came the big wicket of Madhya Pradesh captain Rajat Patidar who was foxed by Dubey.

The 24-year-old left-arm spinner bowled a straighter fifth delivery and Patidar negotiated it well. The next delivery, Dubey exerted extra spin and the ball beat Patidar’s bat to clip the bails leaving the batter flummoxed.

Rekhade was dangerous while bowling from pavilion end. He was the one who gave Vidarbha the breakthrough on the second evening taking Yash Dubey wicket. On the third morning, he came to bowl the 25th over of the innings and within a couple of overs started his wicket-taking act. The wicket of Saransh Jain “was the best.”

“It (ball) landed perfectly and spun the way I wanted to and hit Jain’s pads in front. I would say that was the best wicket of the five,” said Rekhade, who completed a half century of wickets in Ranji Trophy.

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‘Win dedicated to captain Wadkar’

By Paritosh Pramanik

VIDARBHA spinner Parth Rekhade, who took five wickets in the second innings, dedicated the stunning victory to their captain Akshay Wadkar who got injured on Tuesday.

Wadkar pulled his hamstring muscle while running to complete his century and was ruled out of the match.

“This win is for our captain Akshay Wadkar. He and Nachiket Bhute (97) batted so well yesterday. Actually, they won the match for us yesterday only with their 175 runs partnership for the seventh wicket. Wadkar played a great innings,” said Rekhade after the match.

“Our plan was to bowl a perfect line and length and contain them. It was they who were chasing the game and not us. The pitch started turning from today morning from the end Harsh was bowling. It also assisted me from my end (pavilion),” he said.

Rekhade was proud of his association with his spin bowling partner Harsh Dubey which dates back to their Under-23 days.

“Ours is a match winning pair. Since we are playing, I think we have lost only one match.

“We have won all the matches we have played together for Vidarbha. Our combination, our thinking is great. We are different kinds of bowlers but we understand each other very well,” Rekhade explained.

“Coach motivated us in the morning. He said we should take motivation from his (Wadkar’s) innings and win the match for him. ‘Take motivation from your captain how he showed his grit and determination yesterday,’ he had said in the morning,” stated Rekhade.

Wadkar stretchered after scoring ton

Bhute misses ton by 3 runs; Vid take 1st innings lead, MP trail by 106 runs 

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Nov 3, 2026

A FRUITFUL day was spoiled by Two Tragedies. First, Vidarbha’s bowling all-rounder Nachiket Bhute missed a deserving maiden Ranji Trophy century by three runs and then Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar was stretchered to hospital immediately after he struck his second hundred of the season.

It would have been a joyful end to the day’s play with Vidarbha taking the crucial first innings lead and then taking Madhya Pradesh’s wicket at the fag end of the day. But the mood looked a bit sombre in Vidarbha camp due to the two unwanted incidents.

Vidarbha’s most successful captain Wadkar rose to the occasion once again and, along with bowling all-rounder Bhute, took the hosts to a strong position against Madhya Pradesh on the second day of their Elite Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy match at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium on Tuesday.

Wadkar (100*) scored his 13th First-Class hundred while the lanky Bhute missed his own but not before helping Vidarbha take the crucial first inning lead.

Vidarbha, resuming at 56-4, scored 334, taking 125 runs first innings.

At stumps, Madhya Pradesh were 19 for one wicket, trailing by 106 runs. 

Harsh Dubey took a brilliant diving catch to see Yash Dubey’s back off Parth Rekhade in the first over of MP’s second innings.

Wadkar pulled his muscle while dragging his bat across the line to complete his century off a cheeky single. He fell on the ground and looked in immense pain. Unable to stand and walk, he had to be stretchered out and was taken to the hospital for scans and X-rays.

Table toppers Vidarbha were in a precarious situation on the second morning. They lost overnight batter Dhruv Shorey (32) and then Harsh Dubey (12) in quick successions.

But Wadkar, who was on nine runs on Day One, and Bhute (97) played responsible innings under pressure and added 175 runs for the seventh wicket to put Vidarbha back in control.

Wadkar’s century had nine balls to the fence which included some crisp boundaries through covers. Bhute, who got three reprieves in his innings, was inching towards his maiden century. However, he got caught in ‘nervous 90s’ as he nicked one back to wicketkeeper Saksham Purohit off Arshad Khan bringing an end to a fabulous innings.

It was only because of Bhute’s attacking game that helped Vidarbha ease the pressure.

He completed his half century from just 56 deliveries and then hit some huge sixes, five in total, during his 183-minute stay in the middle with Wadkar.

It was the 7th wicket partnership between captain Wadkar and Bhute which took Vidarbha’s total past Madhya Pradesh’s first innings score. Wadkar, who had scored an unbeaten 63 against Goa in their last match at the same venue, lowered his guard when the team was down in dumps. He once again played a captain’s knock digging in deep.

Madhya Pradesh bowlers failed to break the Wadkar-Bhute partnership and as frustration crept in, their spinner Kumar Kartikeya started bowling negative line. But Wadkar was equal to the task as he negotiated those leg side deliveries, padding them away with ease. With two right-handed batters in the middle, southpaw Saransh Jain was under bowled before lunch as he got only four overs in the first  session. While Wadkar’s innings was chanceless, Bhute was saved by three lives. He was dropped when he was on nine runs by Yash Dubey and then on 62 by MP captain Rajat Patidar. 

A few overs later wicketkeeper Purohit missed a stumping chance when the batter stepped out missing the line.

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Nov 2, 2026

IT TOOK 59 long years to break the best bowling figures record for Vidarbha in First-Class cricket.

Vidarbha’s India spinner Harsh Surendra Jyoti Dubey bowled exceptionally well to take nine wickets in an innings against Madhya Pradesh in their Elite Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy match at VCA Jamtha Stadium on Monday to rewrite the record books.

Dubey broke the record of late Arun Ogiral who had taken 8-39 against the same side in 1967 at VCA, Civil Lines ground.

It was double delight for the 24-year-old Vidarbha spinner as he was rightly included in the Indian ‘A’ team for the Rising Stars Asia Cup which is going to be held at Doha in November. The team was announced on Monday evening.

Madhya Pradesh batters danced to Dubey’s tunes as he went on his wicket-taking spree. Their innings folded at tea on 209 from 66.1 overs. The left-arm orthodox Dubey’s figures read: 23.1 overs, four maiden, 53 runs and nine wickets.

None of the MP batters, barring Atharva Mahajan, who scored 85 valuable runs for his side, could withstand Dubey’s guile as he foxed them one after the other.

Pacer Nachiket Bhute gave Vidarbha the breakthrough in the sixth over of the day. From there on it was only Dubey's show. The 24-year-old opened Vidarbha’s bowling and bowled only two overs in his first spell but without any success. He came back in the 17th over and immediately struck the first blow.

With his sunglasses on, Dubey looked no less than a cinestar. His five-six steps run-up was domineering and he flummoxed the batters by rolling his left arm and swirling the red cherry.

Dubey was pleasantly surprised when ‘The Hitavada’ informed him about the record.

“I didn’t know that I broke a record for Vidarbha. I am really very happy to perform for Vidarbha and get noticed,” Dubey said after the day’s play.

Dubey mixed his deliveries brilliantly, bowling slower ones, arm-balls and straighter ones to perfection.

With his father Surendra cheering him from the stands, Harsh devoured Saksham Purohit, Chanchal Rathore, Shubham Sharma, captain Rajat Patidar, Atharva Mahajan, Saransh Jain, Arshad Khan, Kumar Kartikeya and Ravi Kiran sparking celebrations in Vidarbha camp to complete his 9-fer.

On his nine wickets, Dubey said he never thought of taking those scapls in such a short time.

“It requires a whole day to take that many wickets. You need a favourable pitch... There was a little help from the track if you were bowling in the right areas. There was a bit of moisture in the morning and the ball was skidding a little bit and later on after lunch, the pitch got better (for batting). But some spots were created and the balls were turning from those spots... that helped me,” Dubey explained.

On MP captain Rajat Patidar’s wicket, Dubey said, “I tried to slow down my deliveries. I was trying to vary my pace and bowl in the right areas and that helped.”

With nine first innings wickets, Dubey has swelled his wickets column to 23 with second innings of this game still remaining.

The 2024-25 season was Dubey’s best where he took a record 69 wickets in First-Class cricket.

Dubey’s 9-wkt burst floors MP

HOSTS 56-4, STILL TRAILING BY 153 RUNS

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Nov 2, 2026

GIVE him a red soil pitch or a black soil track, Harsh Dubey never disappoints. Vidarbha’s premier left-arm spinner Dubey rolled his arms to record his career-best first innings bowing performance as Vidarbha restricted Madhya Pradesh at 209 on the opening day of their Elite Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy match at VCA Jamtha Stadium on Monday.

At stumps Vidarbha were 56 for four in 23 overs, still trailing by 153 runs.

Madhya Pradesh’s spinner Kumar Kartikeya got Vidarbha openers in his back-to-back overs. Aman Mokhade was the first to go, caught by Chanchal Rathore at short leg in the first over and then Satyam Bhoyar edged one to rival captain Rajat Patidar at first slips in the third over of the innings.

R Samarth (17) was then brilliantly caught at backward point by Yash Dubey off pacer Avesh Khan, as the hosts felt the heat.

Dhruv Shorey (21), who scored 168 against Goa in the last match and Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar (9), who had slammed 198 in the opener against Pondicherry, then steadied the ship with an unbeaten 21 runs stand for the fifth wicket when the day’s play ended.

However, the day belonged to Dubey who broke late Arun Ogiral’s Vidarbha’s 59 years old record of 8-39 in 1967 against Madhya Pradesh at VCA Civil Lines ground.

Dubey’s 9-53 in first innings was also his personal best. He eclipsed his own record of 6-36 against Himachal Pradesh in November 2024, also in Nagpur.

Dubey took all his nine wickets from city end as he utilised the spin and bounce of the track beautifully, in the process claiming his 10th fifer in First-Class cricket.

Madhya Pradesh batters had no clue to Dubey’s slow deliveries. He changed the pace of his deliveries perfectly foxing the rival batters.

For Madhya Pradesh, Athrava Mahajan waged the lone battle with a face-saving 85 (123b, 5x4, 3x6). The visitors were in doldrums at lunch with half of their side back in pavilion (8-5). Mahajan and Saransh Jain (34) steadied their innings with a 72 runs partnership for the sixth wicket. But that was soon broken by Dubey when he got Jain after lunch break.

Mahajan then took the mettle in his own hands picking runs in boundaries and sixes as Madhya Pradesh recovered to take their total past 200-run mark.

But Dubey had the last laugh as he cleaned up the MP tail in no time.

Vid aim to overpower former coach

Hosts take on Madhya Pradesh at Jamtha Stadium

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAPUR, Nov 2, 2026

THE man who made them champions will now want to see the same team lose against his current side.

Chandrakant Pandit, who coached Vidarbha to back to back Ranji and Irani titles in the last decade, will now script a different plot to dethrone his former side from the top when the hosts take on Madhya Pradesh in their Elite Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy match at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium from Monday.

Pandit, who was coach of Vidarbha in 2017-18 and 2018-19 title winning seasons, is now with Madhya Pradesh side and will sit in the rival camp when the Akshay Wadkar-led Vidarbha team takes the field.

It will also be an intriguing battle between the style of coaching as well. Vidarbha team has continued its dominance in last couple of seasons under coach Usman Ghani who guided the side to a Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup and also coached Central Zone to Duleep Trophy titles while Pandit has a proven record with many titles as a coach. The coaching acumen of the two will be at display in the next four days.

However, several winters have passed since Pandit parted ways with Vidarbha.

The hosts have grown in stature and their performance has only seen a northward journey. Vidarbha will have slight advantage as they will be aware of Pandit’s coaching style. If not all, at least five of Vidarbha players know how Pandit’s brain works.

Captain wicketkeeper-batter Akshay Wadkar, Atharva Taide, pacers Rajneesh Gurbani and Aditya Thakare, all have learned the success lessons from Pandit as they were part of the teams which won their Ranji titles. They would be eager to prove their former coach that his teachings are still afresh.

Vidarbha are on the top of Group A with 19 points from three wins while Madhya Pradesh are at the fourth spot (13 points) with a win and two draws.

Madhya Pradesh decimated Bihar in their last match by an innings and 174 runs. The match was completed inside two day with spinner Saransh Jain being the wrecker-in-chief taking a match haul of 13 wickets.

It would be an interesting battle between spinners Jain (16 wickets) and Vidarbha’s Harsh Dubey who has 14 wickets from three matches.

But the Rajat Patidar-led side will first have to negotiate Vidarbha pacer Nachiket Bhute who has collected 14 wickets in last three matches.

The pace department also has Praful Hinge, who was rested in the last game, Gurbani, Aditya Thakare, who has been included in the side for this match, and Darshan Nalkande.

Vidarbha are in search of a perfect opening partner for Aman Mokhade. They have tried R Samarth once. It would be interesting to see who walks in with Mokhade against MP.

For MP skipper Patidar, it would be a difficult ask to continue his rich form against such a talented bunch of Vidarbha’s seam and spin bowlers. The Madhya Pradesh skipper has hit two back to back centuries, after missing the opening game. 

But he will have to dig deep if he wishes to give his coach and team his third century of the season.

Dubey to the Four

VIDARBHA THRASH GOA BY AN INNINGS AND 27 RUNS TO GO TOP OF GROUP A WITH 19 POINTS

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Oct 29, 2026

VIDARBHA bowlers produced a match-winning performance as they thrashed Goa by an innings and 27 runs to take full points, including a bonus, from their Elite Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy match on Thursday.

Resuming the day at 41 for one, Goa’s innings folded at 195, an hour-and-half after lunch.

With this innings and 27 runs victory, Vidarbha jumped to the top spot in Group A with 19 points. After the third round, Baroda are at second spot with 17 points followed by Uttar Pradesh with 16.

Vidarbha next play Madhya Pradesh from November 2 at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium.

Vidarbha were confident of an outright win from the morning, despite Goa being only one wicket down. With overcast conditions, Vidarbha wanted to finish the game before any rain interruption. The pacers started taking wickets with Rajneesh Gurbani (1-20) and Yash Thakur (1-20) snapping the top order in the first hour of the day. And by lunch, Goa were four wickets down with 124 runs on the board.

Post lunch, 90 minutes into the game, the teams were shaking hands as Vidarbha decimated Goa taking the remaining six wickets in no time. Goa’s Manthan Khutkar delayed the inevitable with a dogged half century (70).

Vidarbha’s premier spinner Harsh Dubey was brought into the attack a bit late by captain Akshay Wadkar, a ploy which worked well as the India left-arm orthodox snared four wickets in the innings.

He first got well-set Khutkar and then a couple of deliveries later got Yash Kasvankar in the same pattern with Samarth being the catcher at leg slip on both the occasions.

Khutkar entertained his camp with five sixes and four boundaries from 160-ball stay in the middle. He had a special liking for Vidarbha spinner Parth Rekhade as he hit him for a couple of sixes. He completed his fifth First-Class half century with a maximum over mid-wicket, his favourite spot, off Rekhade. In the process, Goa also completed their 100 runs.

Gurbani would have got Khutkar on the second ball of the day when the batter was trapped in front of the wicket but the umpire thought otherwise.

Thakur was brought into attack in the 31st over from city end and he immediately delivered, taking the prized scalp of rival captain Abhinav Tejrana (14).

Gurbani then took a wicket in the very next over getting new-man Snehal Kauthankar (1) caught behind for zero as trouble mounted for the visiting team.

Vidarbha operated with seamers in the morning session and spinners were introduced from both ends after 17 overs of the day. Post lunch, Goa lost six wickets scoring only 73 runs.

Dubey collected four wickets while his spin partners Rekhade and Aman Mokhade took a wicket each. Seamers Nachiket Bhute, Thakur and Gurbani too collected one each.

Shorey’s Daddy Hundred gives Vidarbha huge lead

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Oct 28

VIDARBHA professional Dhruv Shorey led the charge with an authoritative century to extend hosts’ dominance over Goa in the Elite Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy match here at Jamtha Stadium on Wednesday.

Shorey’s big century (168; 291b, 13x4, 1x6) was the cornerstone of Vidarbha’s huge 222-run first innings lead over Goa. Shorey played some exquisite cover drives on the third day on his way to his 16th First-Class hundred.

Resuming the third day at 217-3, Vidarbha declared their innings at 442 for 8 at the stroke of tea after the fall of Shorey.

In reply, Goa were 41 for one, still trailing by 181 runs. Manthan Khutkar (24) and captain Abhinav Tejrana (8) were at the crease.

Goa negotiated 23 overs as Vidarbha failed to grab the opportunity barring the wicket of Suyash Prabhudesai (6) who was trapped in front by Nachiket Bhute in the fifth over of their second innings.

Shorey was concentration personified as he continued from where he left on Tuesday, first building a 101 runs fourth wicket partnership with Danish Malewar (56) and then with captain Akshay Wadkar. The two added 138 runs before Wadkar retired hurt midway. The captain returned an hour later and the two again added another 12 runs to put up a total of 150 runs for the fifth wicket.

Shorey hit a first-ball four off spinner Darshan Misal in the 94th over and then pushed the ball towards long-on for two runs to complete his well-deserved century. His century came from 187 balls with nine boundaries. His second fifty was a bit fast as compared to the first one which came from 100 deliveries.

This was 34-year-old Shorey’s fifth century for Vidarbha in his fourth season as a professional. He continued his dominant batting with authority after lunch break. The Goan bowlers looked pedestrian in front of Shorey who did not give them any chance to overpower him. 

Barring offie Ruthvik Naik, who completed a five-wicket haul, other Goa bowlers failed to impress much.

Earlier, Wadkar completed his half century after lunch with a single towards covers. Immediately after, he pulled his muscle and walked off the field in the 118th over.

The match was halted for around 20 minutes as it started drizzling in the afternoon. But as umpires ordered groundsmen to cover the pitch, the drizzle stopped and the game resumed.

Shorey and Harsh Dubey (22) then tormented Goan bowlers further with the latter hitting Misal for a straight six, first of Vidarbha’s innings. Dubey and Shorey added 40 runs for the sixth wicket before the spinner was caught behind by substitute wicketkeeper Harikant Rajsekhar off Ruthvik Naik.

Parth Rekhade tried to clear the long on fence but was brilliantly caught by Suyash Prabhudesai off a relay catch. Prabhudesai timed his jump to perfection and threw the ball back inside the rope. He then had to dive to complete an astounding catch.

Shorey also hit a superb six over covers to take his individual score to 168. His entertaining innings came to an end when his furniture was disturbed by Misal at the stroke of tea. But by that time Vidarbha had enough runs to defend on the final day.

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Oct 27, 2026

PROFESSIONAL batters Ravikumar Samarth, Dhruv Shorey and Vidarbha’s very own Danish Malewar scored a half century each to take the hosts at the doorsteps of first innings lead against Goa on the second day of their Elite Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy match at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium on Tuesday.

While Samarth (53) scored his 38th First-Class half century, Shorey (63*) notched up his 26th fifty. At the fag end of the day, Malewar (51*) too scored his 10th fifty as Vidarbha ended the day at 217-2 in 74 overs, four runs short of taking first innings lead.

Apart from their half centuries, it was the partnerships by the three batters which profited Vidarbha.

Samarth and opener Aman Mokhade (39) added 58 runs for the second wicket and then Samarth and Shorey stitched another 58 runs for the third to put Vidarbha in a strong position. If that was not enough, Shorey and Malewar frustrated Goa bowlers further with an unbeaten 93 runs stand for the fourth wicket.

After having a relatively quiet season last year, the Mysore-born Samarth started the 2026-27 season afresh. Samarth, who had slammed a hundred against Jammu and Kashmir in Vidarbha’s last game at Srinagar, notched up a half century against Goa. “Last season, I was getting starts but was unable to convert them into big scores. This season I am able to do it and am happy with the way things are going,” said Samarth after the day’s play.

Resuming the day at 204-8, Goa’s tailed was polished by Vidarbha seamers in 38 minutes of morning session. Rajneesh Gurbani took the wicket of Vasuki Koushik in the third over of the day and then Bhute finished Goa’s innings taking the last man Shubham Tari for a four-ball zero. In the process he also completed his well-deserved fifer as Goa’s innings ended at 220. Overnight batter Yash Kasvankar was left stranded at 63.

Vidarbha started cautiously but lost Satyam Bhoyar in the seventh over. Mokhade and Samarth then took over. 

The 33-year-old right-handed batter Samarth continued from where he left in Srinagar as he helped Vidarbha inch closer to taking first innings lead. Vidarbha’s chase looked a bit slow as they could manage only 42 runs from first 20 overs before lunch and then scored 81 post lunch session from 26 overs. 

“The pitch was playing slow and Goa bowlers were tidy in their line and length. They did not give us any space to score freely,” explained Samarth of Vidarbha’s tactics.

Goa pacers were disciplined and bowled a perfect line not giving Vidarbha batters any space to free their arms.

Vasuki Koushik and Ruthvik Naik kept their deliveries on the off stump line forcing Mokhade and Samarth to play safely.

Mokhade targeted Goa pacer Shubham Tari as he hit him two fours in an over — a beautiful cover drive and then a pull shot to fine leg fence. In the 27th over Samarth hit an exquisite cover drive off Kasvankar to bring up the 50 runs partnerships for second wicket from 118 deliveries. 

Mokhade, who had picked a beautiful boundary through covers off Naik, perished the next delivery edging it back to wicketkeeper Shivendra Bhujpal. Samarth too could not stay put after tea break as he poked his bat to a widish delivery off Koushik to give an easy catch to the stumper.  

However, Shorey and Danish Malewar joined hands and put up another big stand for the fourth wicket. 

Delhi-born Shorey, who hit four balls to the fence, completed his 26th First-Class half century from 100 deliveries.

Malewar, who missed most of the last season due to injury, then cut loose on Kasvankar and hit a powerful boundary through long-on and a couple of deliveries later towards covers taking Vidarbha’s total near 200-run mark. He duly completed his half century in the last over of the day.

Bhute takes four but Goa fight back with twin fifties

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Oct 27, 2026

VIDARBHA pacer Nachiket Bhute bowled a fiery spell in the first two sessions but Goa lower order fought back hard to make it Even Stevens on Day One of their Elite Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy match at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium on Monday.

It was a perfect start for Vidarbha as Bhute (4-40) continued from where he left in Srinagar against Jammu and Kashmir, snaring four wickets. Rajneesh Gurbani too chipped in with two wickets after spinner Harsh Dubey gave Vidarbha immediate breakthrough in the very first over of the day.

However, Goa’s two left-handed batters — Yash Kasvankar (51*), playing only his third First-Class match and Darshan Misal (51) lowered their guards to bail out Goa from a precarious 

situation.

At stumps, Goa were 204 for 8 in 86 overs. Kasvankar and Vasuki Koushik (4) were at the crease.

Kasvankar and Misal did the repair job with perfection negotiating Vidarbha bowlers with a crucial partnership of 104 runs for the seventh wicket which was instrumental in taking their score past the 200-run mark. 

At tea, Goa were 129 for six from 58 overs with Kasvankar and Misal adding 45 runs. They then further stretched their partnership to over 100 runs before Vidarbha managed to take two more wickets before the end of day’s play.

The day began on a fruitful note for the former three times champions Vidarbha as they put Goa under the pump immediately. Two wickets in the first two overs and then a couple of scalps more by the end of 14th over forced Goa on the backfoot.

Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar’s decision to bowl first paid dividends as Dubey, opening the bowling, got Goan opener Shivendra Bhujpal (0) on the fourth delivery. The batter tried to sweep the ball and gave an easy catch to Danish Malewar at slips.

Seamer Bhute then got Suyash Prabhudesai (1) who ballooned an easy catch to Dubey in the very next over.

Last match’s saviour Gurbani (2-28), who is back in Vidarbha fold, made it more difficult for Goa getting Manthan Khutkar (16) caught and bowled in his first over. Bhute then shaped a beautiful delivery which edged Snehal Kauthankar’s bat and landed 

in the safe hands of R Samarth at slips.

A 31 runs stand for the third wicket between Manthan Khutkar (16) and captain Abhinav Tejrana (30) steadied Goa’s ship for a while. The Goan skipper and Lalit Yadav (22) then put up 40 runs for the fifth wicket as the visitors crawled to 69-4 from 31 overs at lunch.

But Vidarbha struck again immediately after the break with Bhute snapping up Tejrana’s wicket to a beautiful diving catch by wicketkeeper Wadkar. Yadav was then trapped in front by Bhute, putting Goa in further trouble.

However, Misal, who was dropped on 18, and Kasvankar, who too got a reprieve an over earlier, dug deep to frustrate Vidarbha bowlers. Both the left-handed batters consumed deliveries and played the bowlers with ease. The two completed a 100 runs partnership in 241 balls and in the process Misal also notched up his half century with a six and a single.

Till 58th over, Vidarbha pacers bowled from the city end while the spinners — Dubey, Parth Rekhade and Aman Mokhade — bowled from the pavilion end.

At the fag end of the day, Rekhade broke the 104 runs partnership between Misal and Kasvankar. He forced Misal to step out and Wadkar made no mistake in clipping the bails. The second new ball did the trick as Gurbani trapped Ruthvik Naik in front. In the meanwhile, Kasvankar completed his half century but Goa lost a couple of more wickets to end the day at 204-8.

Pacer Thakur excited to share dressing room with Virat, Rohit

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Oct 25, 2026

CRICKETERS dream to play alongside Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the two legends of the game. And Vidarbha pacer Yash Thakur is no different.

Thakur, who made his India debut in T20Is, has been named in the Indian team for the fourth and fifth One-Dayers against New Zealand and will be joining the team next month.

If included in the playing XI for the fourth ODI on November 13, it would be Thakur’s dream-come-true moment when he would be sharing the dressing room and the field with Virat and Rohit.

The Vidarbha pacer is very much excited and at the same time is nervous thinking about ‘the moment’.

“I am very happy and waiting for the moment. I would be sharing the dressing room with Virat bhai and Rohit bhai. I have grown up watching these two stalwarts play and it would be the happiest moment for me to be with them,” Thakur said while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ after Vidarbha’s training 

session at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium.

Thakur will be playing for Vidarbha against Goa before going to New Zealand for the One-Dayers.

“I am grateful I got this chance to play in New Zealand. I am very excited to play there and experience new conditions. My only aim will be to take wickets. There won’t be any change in my plan in One-Dayers as well. I will plan how to trap the batters and take wickets. I will analyse at what length I will have to bowl so that I get more purchase from the pitch and will stick to my basics,” said Thakur who has played four T20Is for India.

Thakur said that pressure will be there to perform but he is ready for the challenge.

“Pressure will be there but I am ready for the challenge. I believe that pressure brings the best out of you and I will take this opportunity to deliver my best,” Thakur confidently said.

“A bit nervous that I would be playing on such a big stage. My only aim would be to bowl well and help India win,” he added.

On his preparation for ODIs, Thakur said that the two Ranji matches would be enough for him to be ready for the NZ tour.

Thakur has already played against Jammu and Kashmir and will be taking field against Goa on Monday.

“The two Ranji Trophy matches would be ideal for me to prepare for the New Zealand tour. This will keep me in good shape, physically and mentally. Ranji Trophy matches always prepare you for the next level and this is my chance to train hard and deliver in the best possible way,” the Vidarbha seamer concluded.

Vid aim third outright win on trot

Take on Goa at VCA Jamtha Stadium in third round of Ranji Trophy match

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Oct 26, 2026

THE points table might look healthy with two wins from as many games but Vidarbha won’t be happy with their performance in the last game against Jammu and Kashmir, that’s for sure. To correct those follies from the previous game, the Akshay Wadkar-led side would take the field with more determination and aim for a polished performance when they meet a relatively easy opponent in Goa in the third round of their Elite Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy match at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium starting Monday.

Despite recording wins in both the matches, Vidarbha are at third spot on points table which is being led by Uttar Pradesh (14 points) followed by Baroda (13).

To reach the top two before the red-ball break, Vidarbha need outright victories with bonus points in the next two outings.

To start with, they will have to decimate Goa and then take on Baroda at the same venue from November 2.

After pacers, led by Nachiket Bhute, starred in Srinagar, it will be the spinners once again who will be in focus when Vidarbha cross swords with Goa.

Initially the red soil pitch will assist the seamers but from Day 3 spinners will play a big role in the outcome of the match.

Leading the charge would be left-arm orthodox Harsh Dubey who has collected 10 wickets in the last two games.

Even though spinner Ganesh Bhosale is added to the Vidarbha squad, the thinktank, in all probability, may include Parth Rekhade in the team instead of Bhosale as the former can bat as well. The pace department will have Yash Thakur, Bhute, Praful Hinge, Darshan Nalkande and Rajneesh Gurbani and out of the five, two will have to take the bench. Thakur will be eager to get some game time under his belt before he leaves for New Zealand for One-Dayers. Gurbani would have doubled the headache of coach Usman Ghani and captain Wadkar with his match-saving knock of 64 runs against Jammu and Kashmir. Vidarbha had tried Nalkande in their opener against Pondicherry who was promoted in the batting order but without any success. Gurbani may get a chance in Nalkande’s place, if coach Ghani feels so.

Aman Mokhade and last match’s centurion Ravikumar Samarth might again open the innings as Vidarbha try to settle their top order.

The team will once again miss Yash Rathod who is on India A duty in New Zealand and has made a commendable unbeaten 44 in the first innings.

Danish Malewar’s bat is silent in the last two matches and it’s time he scores big in the coming games. Mandar Mahale had made a quiet debut against J&K but his match saving 25 in second innings might force the coach and captain to include him in the playing XI.

Dhruv Shorey makes himself an automatic choice in the XI with the experience he brings into the side. Captain Wadkar will man the middle order followed by Dubey, Rekhade who will be handy with the bat lower down the order.

As for a low-on-confidence Goa, it will be an uphill task for captain Abhinav Tej Rana to lift his side after two defeats.

The team is at the seventh spot in the eight-team table.

They lost their opener by an innings and 135 runs to Baroda and then were beaten by Uttar Pradesh by 68 runs.

Openers Suyash Prabhudessai and Shivendra Bhujbal will have to tackle the Vidarbha pace batteries early in the innings.

The Goan bowling department will be handled by Yash Kasvankar, Darshan Misal, Lalit Yadav, Amulya Pandrekar and Tejrana.

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We will aim for bonus point: Wadkar

By Paritosh Pramanik

THE two wins might have been satisfying but Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar believes the team now needs outright victories with bonus points in coming games.

Vidarbha will take on Goa in their third Elite Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy match at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium from Monday.

Wadkar was happy with their last win over defending champions Jammu and Kashmir at Srinagar where the pitch wasn’t batter friendly. “Srinagar wasn’t a batting friendly wicket (pitch). Both the teams lost wickets. But a win is a win and we have 12 points from two games now,” said Wadkar while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ on the eve of their match.

“Eventhough we are at the third place in points table but the positive thing is that we have beaten last year’s champions and that gives us confidence, going into the next matches,” added the skipper.

The wicketkeeper-batter said that the team’s morale is high after Srinagar win and they would now try for bonus points from the next two games before going into red-ball break.

“Our morale is high and we will now try to go for bonus point if we get a chance.

“Next two games are very crucial. We are in full momentum, we want to win both the matches outright. We won’t go for draws, especially against MP. Since the last four years we have not gone for a draw in any game. We have started playing an aggressive brand of cricket and we will continue. We have that kind of team. We have the best batters and best bowlers in the country. Four-five India A players, India players...why should we play defensive?,” Wadkar stated.

Wadkar said the pitch looks hard and would assist seamers in the first session.

“It looks like a friendly batting wicket. Two days it would help seamers in the morning session and then I think it would be easy for batters. From Day Three, spinners would get help from the strip,” felt Vidarbha captain.

Vidarbha start with a 6

By Paritosh Pramanik

Oct 14, 2026

ON THE eve of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A opener, Vidarbha coach Usman Ghani had said the team would go for an outright victory but before that they will have to take the first innings lead. 

“Yes, we want to start with outright win. but first thing first....we want to take first innings lead and then see how we can register outright win,” Ghani had told ‘The Hitavada’ 

The team did the same. After taking 115 runs first innings lead, Vidarbha spinners spun their web as they bundled out Pondicherry for 130 runs in their second innings to record a thumping 160 runs victory and start their campaign on a winning note here at VCA Jamtha Stadium. Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar, who hit a career-best 198, was declared player of the match. 

Vidarbha next play defending champions Jammu and Kashmir at Srinagar from October 18.

Three-times Ranji champions Vidarbha gave a 290 runs target to Pondicherry after they declared their second innings at 175-3 just 19 minutes before lunch on the fourth day. Harsh Dubey and Parth Rekhade took six wickets each in the match while part-timer Aman Mokhade snared five as the slow bowlers took 17 out of 22 Pondicherry wickets to falls.

India spinner Dubey immediately gave the breakthrough taking two wickets in team’s second and his first over.

While Dubey ended with four scalps, it was part-timer Aman Mokhade who delivered with his slow deliveries on time.

There were some good catching as well as Dhruv Shorey and Nachiket Bhute threw their bodies to take diving catches. While Shorey got Mohit Kale, who returned to bat after getting retired hurt and Bhute grabbed wicketkeeper Prasad Pawar who was batting strong on 48.

Parth Rekhade, who got the wicket of rival captain Neyan Kangayan earlier in the day, cleaned up the tail taking wickets of Gaurav Yadav and Vijai Raja.

Earlier, Resuming at 22-1 on the final day, Vidarbha scored at a brisk rate with Aman Mokhade (65) and Dhruv Shorey (69) adding 122 runs for the third wicket.

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Wadkar, Dubey achieve personal milestones

Vidarbha’s thumping 160 runs win over Pondicherry also saw a couple of records made on the final day of the Ranji Trophy Group ‘A’ match here at Jamtha Stadium.

Akshay Wadkar became the most successful captain of Vidarbha in terms of outright wins recorded in Ranji Trophy.

The 32-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Wadkar registered 21st outright victory as a captain on Wednesday.

The previous best was by former Ranji Trophy captain Faiz Fazal who had 20 outright wins under his belt. Former spinner Pritam Gandhe had recorded nine outright wins.

From 29 matches as captain, Wadkar has two draws and two defeats. This is his sixth season as Vidarbha captain. He has so far played 69 First-Class matches.

Another Vidarbha player southpaw Harsh Dubey achieved a personal milestone by claiming 150th wicket in First-Class cricket. The wicket of Pondicherry vice-captain Aman Khan was Dubey’s 150th scalp. This season, left-arm orthodox Dubey has taken 14 wickets from two First-Class matches.

He snared eight wickets for Central Zone during the Duleep Trophy semi-final against East Zone and against Pondicherry in Nagpur, he took six wickets in the match forcing India selectors to take note of his performance.

Pondicherry frustrate Vidarbha but spinners help hosts take lead

By Paritosh Pramanik

Oct 14, 2026

NAGPUR

PRIOR to this match, Aman Mokhade had only one wicket against his name in 18 First-Class matches he has played till date. But on Tuesday, the Vidarbha opener and part-time spinner made sure his ‘wickets taken’ column also got noticed as he snared three Pondicherry wickets on the third day of their Elite Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy match here at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium.

Resuming at an overnight score of 107-1 against Vidarbha’s 428, Pondicherry showed courage with a couple of partnerships down the order to post 313, conceding first innings by just 115 runs.

The rear guard resistance from former Vidarbha cricketer Mohit Kale (78) frustrated Vidarbha camp. Two partnerships, first between Kale and Sagar Udeshi of 48 runs for the eighth wicket and then between Kale and Vijai Raja of 43 runs for the last wicket denied Vidarbha an upper hand. The two partnerships consumed 118 crucial minutes which would have been beneficial for Vidarbha while batting in the second innings.

At stumps, Vidarbha were 22 for one with an overall lead of 137. Aman Mokhade (15) and Harsh Dubey (0) were at the crease after Vidarbha lost opener R Samarth (7) on the penultimate over of the day.

Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar was on the coin when he predicted that spinners would get purchase from the turning track. Harsh Dubey (35-8-79-2), Parth Rekhade (26.5-5-64-3) and Mokhade (11-1-35-3) shared the bulk of wickets.

Pondicherry’s overnight batters Ritesh Gudge (95) and Nikhil Gangta continued to frustrate Vidarbha bowlers in the morning. But after an hour of play, the hosts managed to get the breakthrough when Gangta’s furniture was disturbed by Rekhade’s arm delivery. Gudge and Gangta added 145 runs for the second wicket. His departure brought in former Vidarbha player Kale at the crease but the third wicket pair could not add much to their total as debutant Gudke’s innings was cut short by Dubey at the stroke of lunch. Gudke tried to sweep a delivery but mistimed it only to give a simple catch to R Samarth at short mid-wicket.

Post lunch, Mokhade rolled his golden arm and got the wickets of wicketkeeper Prasad Pawar (10), Aman Khan (1) and Ankit Sharma (6) in quick succession. In between, pacer Darshan Nalkande cleaned up Sagar Trivedi as Pondicherry lost four wickets in 37 minutes adding only 20 runs.

Kale batted with purpose even though he kept losing partners from the other end. He completed his fighting half century from 101 deliveries.

With only one wicket remaining in Vijai Raja, Kale took most of the strike to take their total closer to Vidarbha’s 428.

The last wicket pair added 48 runs from 78 balls before Kale finally perished giving Rekhade his third wicket.

CAPTAIN WADKAR HITS CAREER-BEST 198

Vidarbha post huge 428 against Pondicherry

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Oct 13

A CRESTFALLEN Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar threw his head in disbelief. He knocked his bat onto his helmet and made a long, slow stroll back to the pavilion even as Pondicherry players patted his back. Just one mistake in his 509 minutes stay in the middle while batting proved costly as the skipper missed a well-deserved maiden double century by just two runs on Day Two of their Elite Group A Ranji Trophy match here at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium. 

The Vidarbha dressing room was ready to celebrate its captain’s landmark innings, the shutterbugs had loaded their mobile cameras zooming in towards Wadkar. But as the Vidarbha captain missed that sweep shot and the ball brushed his pads all went numb seeing the umpire raising his dreaded finger. Their hearts might have missed a beat watching Wadkar controlling his emotions, walking back.

Riding on Wadkar’s 198, his career’s best score, and Yash Rathod’s 134, Vidarbha posted a huge 428 from 129.4 overs in their first innings.

At stumps, Pondicherry were 107 for 1, still trailing by 321 runs.

Debutant Ritesh Gudge completed his half century and was batting strongly on 59 while veteran Nikhil Gangta was unbeaten on 32. Both the batters negotiated Vidarbha seamers and spinners and added unbeaten 92 runs for the second wicket.

But the day would be remembered for Wadkar’s gritty knock. Wadkar bossed Pondicherry bowlers. He played a perfect anchor’s role stitching another important partnership of 72 runs for the ninth wicket with Parth Rekhade (20) after posting 245 with Rathod earlier in the innings.

In his 363 balls innings, Wadkar showed his aggressive side as well picking 23 boundaries.

He once pulled a bouncer from Vijai Raja towards mid-wicket and in the same over cracked a backfoot punch towards square boundary to race to 192. He reached 197 with another four off the same bowler, this time the ball landing in the deep midwicket region.

But as luck would have it, the wicketkeeper-batter played an unnecessary sweep shot and missed it completely to be trapped leg before giving Pondicherry’s Sagar Udeshi his fourth wicket of the innings.

Wadkar was the last man out as Vidarbha’s innings folded after lunch.

Earlier in the morning, Vidarbha lost Rathod, who could add only three runs to his overnight score of 131. Some quick wickets in next few overs halted the hosts’ run flow. Harsh Dubey, Nachiket Bhute could not contribute much from their bats. In the meantime, captain Wadkar completed 150 runs with a boundary behind the stumps. By lunch, Vidarbha had added another 82 runs losing three wickets after resuming at the overnight score of 300-5. Rekhade and Wadkar frustrated Pondicherry bowlers further before the former was caught out on personal score of 20 runs. With tail wagging, Wadkar tried to achieve the double ton but missed the line completely. The dejected long walk back to pavilion would haunt him for some time.

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Playing that sweep was a mistake, admits Akshay after missing double ton

n By Paritosh Pramanik

HE PLAYED a saviour’s innings once again but Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar lost patience as he could not complete his maiden double century on second day of their Ranji Trophy match against Pondicherry at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium on Monday.

The sweep shot which he missed halted Wadkar’s fine innings.

“I am very happy with this innings. It is my career’s highest score so I am really happy to better my previous score. But yes, I made a mistake. In the entire innings I had defended those deliveries and I should have done the same. We were the last pair, I went for that sweep shot ... I should have played it straight or had gone for a big shot ... but I played a sweep...,” explained Wadkar after the end of day’s play.

Wadkar and Rathod put up a game-saving 245 runs partnership for the sixth wicket and Wadkar said they did not plan anything extraordinary. “We wanted to bat cautiously. We curbed some shots just to rebuild our innings. We wanted to bat through the middle session as during that period runs come easily, that the trend of this ground. Our partnership grew and they (Pondicherry bowlers) started giving us runs. That’s what we wanted,” said the captain of the partnership.

“Our left-right combination also worked because the opponents were unable to set the field and we were running singles and doubles. They had to continuously change the field. It worked for us,” added Wadkar.

On containing Pondicherry on the third day, Wadkar said, “Its just a matter of time. One breakthrough and we will be all over Pondicherry. Scoring runs will become very difficult on this pitch. It will definitely assist spinners from here on and Parth and Harsh would trouble them,” Wadkar signed off.

Wadkar, Rathod slam tons

Captain, vice-captain rescue Vidarbha from 54-5 to 300-5 with an unbeaten 6th-wkt partnership of 246 runs against Pondicherry

By Paritosh Pramanik

Oct 11, 2026

THE first cup of tea tasted bland in the morning in Vidarbha dressing room when the hosts lost two wickets in first five deliveries of the day. Even before the players were settled in their seats, opener Dhruv Shorey (0) and Darshan Nalkande (0) were sent back by Pondicherry pacer Gaurav Yadav on the opening day of the Elite Group ‘A’ match at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium. 

After over an hour of play, things looked more bleak with Vidarbha staring down the barrel with 54-5 on the board.

However, the script changed from there on when vice-captain Yash Rathod (131*) and captain Akshay Wadkar (112*) once again bailed out Vidarbha with an unbeaten double century stand. They have stitched crucial partnerships on several occasions and on Sunday; the two repeated the stories of 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons with another big partnership to save the hosts from a precarious position.

The Rathod-Wadkar pair put up 246 runs for the sixth wicket to help Vidarbha post 300 for 5 in 85 overs. The two played responsibly and first steadied the rocking ship taking as they took lunch at 102 for five. 

They then continued with their impressive knocks as Vidarbha took tea at 194 without losing any wicket. The two-hour second session saw Vidarbha adding 92 runs. They did not stop there and continued taking Vidarbha’s score to 300 without any further dent. In the process, Rathod completed his 11th First-Class century as he geared up for the India ‘A’ tour of New Zealand. Rathod’s century had 10 boundaries and a six from 130 deliveries. He proved that he is made for big occasions and this knock will give him a ton of confidence when he joins his India ‘A’ team-mates in next few days.

Wadkar, too, scripted his 12th First-Class century few overs later. His knock came from 192 balls and had 12 boundaries which put Vidarbha in a position of strength. 

Rathod and Wadkar have saved Vidarbha on quite a few occasions. During the semi-finals against Madhya Pradesh in 2023-24, the two had added 158 runs for the sixth wicket when Vidarbha were 161-5. Rathod had scored unbeaten 97 while Wadkar had put up 77 in that game.

Then again in the next year’s semis against Mumbai, the two added 91 runs for the fifth wicket when Vidarbha were 56-4 in the second innings. Rathod had scored unbeaten 59 and Wadkar had put up 31 undefeated runs. In the same season against Rajasthan they had put up 94 runs for the sixth wicket to steady Vidarbha’s innings at Jaipur. Wadkar went on to score 102 while Rathod had missed his century by two runs in that match.

The two batters frustrated Pondicherry bowlers including Vijai Raja and Yadav who both took two wickets in the morning.

As the last session approached Rathod started showing his aggressive side. He stepped out to hit a couple of boundaries in the same over of spinner Ritesh Gutke. He also hit a six, only of the day, off Yadav. Wadkar played the captain’s knock, steady and composed. His sixth season as captain of Vidarbha Ranji team has started on a positive note. In 28 matches as skipper, Wadkar has 20 outright victories and six draws. On the first day, his intentions looked clear that the wicketkeeper-batter wants to extend that positive graph.

Spectators, relatives and parents of players occupied stands in front of players’ dressing room. There was a sombre mood in the morning. But when Wadkar and Rathod joined in the middle they cheered every shot, every boundary scored as the mood changed. 

As the shadows lengthened, they shared tea with each other. And this time it tasted sweet with HONEY (Rathod’s nickname)!